MOTORISTS have been praised for their patience after work to ease town centre traffic congestion was delayed.

Hartlepool Borough Council had been waiting for specialist computer software that co-ordinates traffic lights to be delivered.

Traffic signals at the re-modelled Morrison's junction have not been working in tandem with lights at the adjacent Stockton Street and Victoria Road junction. Repairs have now started.

Ian Parker, Hartlepool Borough Council's head of technical services, said: "Drivers have been forced to put up with some frustrating delays, but it has been frustrating for the council too because we have had no choice but to wait for the suppliers to provide the equipment. I would like to take this opportunity to put on record my appreciation of the patience shown by the vast majority of drivers."

Motorists are being reminded they can help prevent unnecessary traffic build-ups by using town centre junctions correctly.

Problems are occurring at the Victoria Road and Swainson Street junction, where drivers are turning right despite ahead-only markings and no-right-turn signs.

Some vehicles turning right from Church Square into Marina Way are using only the right-hand lane instead of both lanes, which is causing tailbacks.